Oscars 2018: The nominations that made us sit up and take notice
By Callum Gunn
While questions are being raised over the Oscars “snubs”, here are the nominations that made us sit up and take notice.
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The Oscars nominations for 2018 have now officially been announced. With every New Year comes a new round of nominations. As always, we have the usual suspects on the board and this year was again no exception. We also have our “snubbed” list as we like to call it as well.
But while most of us will focus on the snubs and discuss why they should have been nominated, Wonder Woman being the main focus this year, some focus should also be given to the nominations that made us sit up and really take notice.
2018 has a surprising amount of nominations that have caught the attention of many people and made us punch the air in celebrations. Here is the breakdown of those nominees and why they have made us take notice.
Get Out – Best Picture
Get Out is not your typical, traditional Oscar movie. The usual mould for best picture nominations is more your drama and period type movies. Get Out, however, is a horror movie. The Oscars usually have an anti-horror bias but Get Out has broken the mould this year.
Starring Daniel Kaluuya, who has been nominated for the best actor award, and directed by Joran Peele, who has been nominated for the best director award. Get Out focuses on Chris, Daniel Kaluuya, visiting his girlfriend’s parents for the very first time which soon turns into a weekend of nightmares.
It’s been some time since a horror movie won an Oscar; will Get Out go the distance and end the wait?
Congratulations to #GetOut on 4 #AcademyAward nominations including Best Picture. pic.twitter.com/uWEjORFO29
— Get Out (@GetOutMovie) January 23, 2018
Rachel Morrison – Cinematography
Nominated for her work in Mudbound, Morrison is also credited for work in Black Panther, Dope, Fruitvale Station and Cake. She is up against the likes of Roger Deakins, Blade Runner 2049, Bruno Delbonnel, Darkest Hour, Hoyte van Hoytema, Dunkirk and Dan Laustsen, The Shape of Water.
She is officially the first woman to be nominated for the prestigious award in the field of cinematography for her work in Mudbound, which tells the story of two men readjusting to life after returning from World War II, only to face racism while working on a rural farm in Mississippi.
Fingers crossed we will see her win the award.
FINALLY
— Rhett (@dialmformovies) January 23, 2018
After 651 nominations since 1929, a woman has received a Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography.
Her name is Rachel Morrison, for Mudbound. #OscarNoms pic.twitter.com/kRKjQ3WYhF
Denzel Washington – Best Actor
For his role in Roman J. Israel, Esq. as Roman J. Israel, Esq. This nomination has raised a lot of heads as the movie was just outright unsuccessful. His performance was the only thing noteworthy in it and he rightfully does deserve that nomination but, it is a surprise it happened considering how poorly the overall movie was received.
This is Denzel Washington 8th nomination, expanding his own record as the most-nominated black actor in Oscar history. #OscarNoms pic.twitter.com/WNOvijDg7d
— Erik Anderson (@awards_watch) January 23, 2018
Christopher Plummer – Best Supporting Actor
Christopher Plummer getting the nod for the best supporting actor for his work in All the Money in the World left the actor stunned. How Plummer came to playing the role was anything but straightforward as it was Kevin Spacey who was originally cast. After the accusations of sexual misconduct came out about the actor, Spacey was removed from the project and Plummer was cast instead.
The movie went through several reshoots putting significant pressure Plummer, who has been rumoured to be the original actor intended for the role but was eventually overlooked by Spacey. This nomination just credits the work that Plummer did under such pressures and circumstances.
The Christopher Plummer story is incredible: He replaced Kevin Spacey, shot his scenes in just 10 days and got nominated for a Golden Globe, BAFTA and now an Academy Award. Great stuff. #OscarNoms
— Deniz S. (@MrFilmkritik) January 23, 2018
Logan – Best Adapted Screenplay
Logan is a masterpiece. A gritty and dark depiction of Wolverine, Hugh Jackman’s final days as the man with the claws captivated and enthralled fans. Hugely praised for not giving in to any pressures and sticking to the true adaption it is a very thoughtful and powerful end to the X-Men legend.
It clearly impressed the right people as well as getting the nod for Best Adapted Screenplay is a significant achievement as it is the first superhero movie to ever be given the nomination.
Congratulations to #Logan on the Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. #OscarNoms pic.twitter.com/ywMhenSJ9s
— 20th Century Studios (@20thcentury) January 23, 2018
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Overall the Oscar nominations have widely been praised and supported. For years the ceremony has been criticised for its choices but that seems to have changed this year. There are still, of course, some questionable decisions but that is going to happen every year, no matter what.
What do you think of the 2018 Oscar nominations so far? Which surprised you the most? Leave a comment below with your thoughts.
The Oscars award show ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 4, 2018.